Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Birch Bay, WA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Birch Bay, WA, but with restrictions. Vacation rentals are allowed as accessory uses in most residential, rural, and agricultural zones, but require a conditional use permit in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. Operations are limited to one unit per lot with occupancy capped at two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, and off-street parking is required. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Vacation rentals are allowed as accessory uses in most residential, rural, and agricultural zones, but require a conditional use permit in the Lake Whatcom Watershed. Operations are limited to one unit per lot with occupancy capped at two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, and off-street parking is required.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Birch Bay. 1. Register the unit with the Whatcom County Vacation Rental Registry maintained by Planning and Development Services. 2. Submit required documentation including a 24-hour contact, safety feature checklist, and a copy of a current Washington State business license (UBI). 3. Reapply for registration annually and pay the fee specified in the Unified Fee Schedule.

1. Register the unit with the Whatcom County Vacation Rental Registry maintained by Planning and Development Services. 2. Submit required documentation including a 24-hour contact, safety feature checklist, and a copy of a current Washington State business license (UBI). 3. Reapply for registration annually and pay the fee specified in the Unified Fee Schedule.

Vrbo is permitted in Birch Bay, WA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Birch Bay are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Birch Bay. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.